Fr. Andrew R. Mulvaney died Monday, May 27, 2013 at Samaritan Medical Center Emergency Room from a massive stroke. Father was currently retired with failing health and resided at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, Watertown.


A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul's, Black River with the Most Reverend Terry R. LaValley presiding, and the priests of the diocese concelebrating. The homilist will be Fr. Patrick Ratigan, pastor of St.Cecilia's, Adams. A private burial will be at Castorland Union Cemetery in Castorland.
Father's body will be received at St. Paul's Church by Fr. Arthur LaBaff, Dean of Jefferson Deanery, with calling hours on Wednesday at St. Paul's Church in Black River from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. concluding with Evening Prayer led by Fr. Garvin Demarias, pastor of St. Paul's.
Calling hours will continue Thursday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. concluding with the funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. A reception will follow at the Sisters of St. Joseph Motherhouse, 1425 Washington St. Watertown.


Fr. Mulvaney was born on December 17, 1942, in West Carthage, son of Ernest and Ruth Schantz Mulvaney. He attended Beaver River Central School and Fr. Leo Memorial School, Croghan, graduating in 1960. He attended Wadhams Hall Seminary from 1960-62 and continued his studies at Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University at St. Bonaventure. Father was ordained on May 25, 1968 at St. Mary's Cathedral by Bishop Thomas J. Donellan.

Father Mulvaney's first assignment was as assistant at St. Joseph's Church in Malone, followed by assignments at St. Alphonses, Tupper Lake, St. Mary's, Champlain, Holy Family, Watertown, St. Joseph's, Malone, St. Mary's Cathedral, Ogdensburg, and returning to St. Joseph's, Malone. Father was made pastor of St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden from 1977 until 1983.

In January of 1983, Father Mulvaney began his time with the U. S. Army as chaplain, at Fort Monmouth, N.J. From there, Father traveled to many sites including Germany , Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Croatia, Macedonia, and Zagreb. After he returned to the States, he served in Fort Jackson, SC, Fort Bliss, TX and finally Fort Drum, where he retired in January of 2003. Following retirement from the Army, Father Mulvaney was assigned as pastor of St. Paul's Church, Black River and St. Rita's in Deferiet until his retirement in 2012.
During his time of military service, Father received a number of medals and/or awards of which he was justly proud: the Armed Forces Service Medal,Bronze Star,5 Meritorious Service medals, 3 Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, 2 National Defense Service medals, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Service Stars, Army Service ribbon overseas (4),United Nations Medal/Kuwait Liberation Medal(K),Kuwait Liberation Medal(SA) and Cold War Certificate.

Father Mulvaney is survived by a brother, Michael and his wife Maureen Keefe Mulvaney of Rochester, a nephew Matthew K. Mulvaney, Rochester and a niece Kate K. Mulvaney and husband Ashhok Ragawanarqo, Quincy, MA.

In lieu of flowers, Father Mulvaney requested that donations be given to the Sisters of St. Joseph, Watertown, NY. Local arrangements are with the Bezanilla-McGraw Funeral Home, Carthage.